Gateway High School Class of 1967's 60th Birthday Celebration Weekend will be held June 5-6, 2009.
The Class of '67 can't wait for 2012 to have another reunion. (That would be our 45th.) The class reunion committee has scheduled a 60th Birthday Blast for us for June 5-6, 2009.
Why a 60th birthday party? It's based on the fact that most of us will turn 60 during 2009.
But you can have turned 60 before 2009 or be one of our baby classmates, whose 60th birthday will be in early 2010. It doesn't matter. It's a celebration for all of us.
And it's such a massive celebration that it can't be contained in just a few hours. This will be a weekend event.
Here's the schedule:
FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2009. Informal get-together starts at 6 p.m. at D’Imperios, 3412 Wm. Penn Hwy, Monroeville, PA 15146. (Business Rte. 22 @ Penn Center, Wilkins Twp.; 412-823-4800.) Cash bar/Food may be purchased. Reservation needed for room set-up. (Read further for reservation information.)
SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2009. Golf outing. (I'm guessing this will be a morning event.) Contact Sam Viggiano directly for details if you are interested at 412-242-4335 or viggiano2@verizon.net.
SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2009. Breakfast Club. (Definitely a morning event.) While Sam and company go golfing Saturday morning, the Gators Breakfast Club will be in session. Contact Alana Miltak Baranick directly for details if you are interested at 440-865-2518, 216-862-2617, abaranick@msn.com or alana.miltak.baranick@gmail.com.
SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2009. 60th Birthday Party at Wooden Nickel, 4006 Berger Lane, Monroeville, PA 15146. (412-372-9750; Website: http://www.the-wooden-nickel.com/; Located across from Miracle Mile Shopping Center off Stroschein Road behind Petco.)
Music will be provided by our own ’67 Gator Tom Kunkle, master of the Golden Oldies.
Evening's activities: 5:30-6:30 p.m.: Social time/Cash Bar; 6:30-8:30 Buffet Dinner: $30.00 per person.
Make checks payable to Gateway Class of '67 and mail reservation by April 1, 2009, to Ellen Lewis, 9026 Hill Drive, North Huntingdon, PA 15642.
Here's the information Ellen will need:
Name of classmate and guest;
Mailing address, phone(s) and emails;
Number attending informal gathering on 6/5/2009 (No money in advance.);
Number attending birthday dinner on 6/6/2009 ($30 per person in advance.)
HOTELS:
A block of rooms is being held at The Courtyard by Marriott, 3962 William Penn Highway, Monroeville, PA 15146. (412-856-8680; walking distance from the Wooden Nickel.) Cost: $129.00. Hotel reservations should be made by May 5th to get the group price.
For the budget-minded, consider Extended StayAmerica Pittsburgh-Monroeville (now with Signature Suites), 3851 Northern Pike (on the north side of Rte. 22, relatively close to the Wooden Nickel), Monroeville, PA 15146. (412-856-8400.) Cost: $78.99-$98.99 (Each room has a kitchen.) http://www.extendedstayamerica.com/
Or select another of Monroeville's many hotels. Or stay with family!
Mark your calendars. Make your reservations.
Questions? Contact Peggy (Loughner) Fisher at (724) 458-8676 or send an e-mail to her at gators67@zoominternet.net
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Gator hunting: Picking up the trail.
Since the Gateway Senior High School Class of 1967's reunion committee started compiling a roster of classmates with contact information for our fabulous 40th Class Reunion of 2007, the list of "Missing" members has decreased significantly.
We can attribute this to a team of classmates using the power of the Internet, communicating with other '67 Gators and making phone calls.
Heck! We've even found the elusive Walt Adams!
On top of that, our roster has grown to include individuals who were longtime members of the class until moving away, dropping out or whatever by our senior year.
Yet we still have classmates whose whereabouts are unknown. Well, they're unknown to those of us who are trying to account for everyone - living or dead - on our class roster.
But maybe they're not unknown to you.
Or perhaps you have some morsel of information that can help us in our Gator-hunting quest.
Perhaps a missing Gator gal's name changed because she got married, entered a convent or became a Muslim.
The same sort of thing could happen to a Gator guy. In fact, it did in the case of Melvin Oliver whose faith change prompted a name change 30 years ago. Melvin is now Abdullah Mohammad.
If you know anything - including name changes, last known whereabouts, names of siblings or parents - about the following classmates who, as of this writing, have fallen off our radar, please leave a comment on this blog or contact us via email at alana.miltak.baranick@gmail.com or gators67@zoominternet.net. Here's a list of Gators we're still looking for:
If you hesitate to share information because you believe a classmate doesn't want to be informed of class activities or doesn't want the class as a whole to know how to reach him/her, we'll respect their privacy. We just want to know whether they're alive or dead and that they're okay.
Thanks for your help.
We can attribute this to a team of classmates using the power of the Internet, communicating with other '67 Gators and making phone calls.
Heck! We've even found the elusive Walt Adams!
On top of that, our roster has grown to include individuals who were longtime members of the class until moving away, dropping out or whatever by our senior year.
Yet we still have classmates whose whereabouts are unknown. Well, they're unknown to those of us who are trying to account for everyone - living or dead - on our class roster.
But maybe they're not unknown to you.
Or perhaps you have some morsel of information that can help us in our Gator-hunting quest.
Perhaps a missing Gator gal's name changed because she got married, entered a convent or became a Muslim.
The same sort of thing could happen to a Gator guy. In fact, it did in the case of Melvin Oliver whose faith change prompted a name change 30 years ago. Melvin is now Abdullah Mohammad.
If you know anything - including name changes, last known whereabouts, names of siblings or parents - about the following classmates who, as of this writing, have fallen off our radar, please leave a comment on this blog or contact us via email at alana.miltak.baranick@gmail.com or gators67@zoominternet.net. Here's a list of Gators we're still looking for:
- Cecelia Howard
- Milo Hunt
- David Johnston
- Janice Jones
- Barbara Martin
- Alan Silver
- Anthony Stevens
- Vicki Taylor
If you hesitate to share information because you believe a classmate doesn't want to be informed of class activities or doesn't want the class as a whole to know how to reach him/her, we'll respect their privacy. We just want to know whether they're alive or dead and that they're okay.
Thanks for your help.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
What ever happened to Walt Adams?
Does anyone have any idea of the whereabouts of our classmate Walt Adams?
If you don't have his exact address, we'd be delighted to get any info that can help us in our quest to find every member of the Gateway Class of '67.
Have you seen Walt in the last 41 years? Where? What were the circumstances?
In what part of Monroeville did he live while in high school?
What were his parents' names? Did he live with someone other than his parents?
Did he have brothers or sisters? Do you recall their names?
Do you recall hearing about the deaths of any members of his immediate family? If so, perhaps we can find an obituary that would indicate whether Walt is alive or dead or where he might have been at that time.
I really did not know Walt in high school. I'm sure some of you could tell stories that you think all of us have already heard. Some of us have not heard them. Please share them. Those stories may offer clues as to where to search to find him.
You can leave a comment on this blog item or write to me at alana.miltak.baranick@gmail.com.
Thanks for your help.
If you don't have his exact address, we'd be delighted to get any info that can help us in our quest to find every member of the Gateway Class of '67.
Have you seen Walt in the last 41 years? Where? What were the circumstances?
In what part of Monroeville did he live while in high school?
What were his parents' names? Did he live with someone other than his parents?
Did he have brothers or sisters? Do you recall their names?
Do you recall hearing about the deaths of any members of his immediate family? If so, perhaps we can find an obituary that would indicate whether Walt is alive or dead or where he might have been at that time.
I really did not know Walt in high school. I'm sure some of you could tell stories that you think all of us have already heard. Some of us have not heard them. Please share them. Those stories may offer clues as to where to search to find him.
You can leave a comment on this blog item or write to me at alana.miltak.baranick@gmail.com.
Thanks for your help.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Artie Trunzo's story about the Victory Bell
Before you read Artie's story, check out this preliminary online report from Sept. 18, 2008, which Phil Harris shared: Conference rivals battle for Victory Bell.
What's missing from that report is the story of how the legendary Victory Bell made its way back to where it belonged. They say alumni helped save the Victory Bell tradition, but give no details.
Not surprisingly, Artie is one of those alumni.
Here's his story:
I still get my hair cut, what's left, at Frank's Barber Shop in Pitcairn. I always go there on Saturday. The same crew is there every week - - the older guys from Pitcairn High School.
I always heard talk about this Victory Bell. The Bell, which was kept on some sort of cart, was from a locomotive from the Pennsylvania Railroad. Pitcairn teams were called the "Railroaders."
The Bell Game was between Pitcairn High School and Trafford High. The last time they played, Pitcairn won and kept the Bell.
As we know, Pitcairn High became Gateway High, and the Bell was forgotten.
When they where cleaning out Pitcairn High, they were going to junk the Bell. A man by the name of Walker, who worked at the school, saw it in the junk pile and took it home. It remained at Mr. Walker's home for some time in his garage.
His wife was our kindergarten teacher. His son went to Thiel College and belonged to a fraternity. He took the Bell to Thiel.
During Thiel's football games, the pledges would run up and down the sidelines ringing the Bell when Thiel scored.
Pitcairn had its Centennial Celebration, and the High School Alumni wanted to bring the Bell back. But no one knew where it was.
During one of those Saturday haircuts, I was listening to them wishing to find the Bell. I told them the story I heard. They asked if I would help them.
I called Mrs. Walker's daughter. I got her number from Frank the Barber. She verified my Bell story, and gave me the Fraternity name.
I called the Fraternity, and they agreed to let the Alumni use the Bell for the Centennial. I agreed to return the Bell to them after the Centential Celebration.
The Alumni agreed. They sent a delegation to Thiel to return the prized Bell.
The Bell spent its life in the front yard of the Fraternity. Snow, rain, etc. The Alumni brought it back, cleaned it up and made a new cart for it.
This is without a doubt the most cherised artifact from Pitcairn High School.
As a Pitcairner, it was an honor for me to be involved with the High School Alumni. These were people who went to school with our mothers and fathers, uncles and aunts.
But even better, it was great to bring the Class of '67 into contact with them. They always asked if I graduated from Pitcairn High. I said, "No. Gateway Class of '67!"
They took the Bell back as promised. A few years later Rullo Vecchio, a former Pitcairn Council member and Democratic Chairman, made arrangements to bring the Bell back permanently.
If you go to the Gateway Gators Web site, there are pictures of the "Bell Game."
fyi: Gateway kept the Victory Bell, as the Gators defeated the Penn-Trafford Warriors 44-8. It was basically over at the half with the score 41-0.
What's missing from that report is the story of how the legendary Victory Bell made its way back to where it belonged. They say alumni helped save the Victory Bell tradition, but give no details.
Not surprisingly, Artie is one of those alumni.
Here's his story:
I still get my hair cut, what's left, at Frank's Barber Shop in Pitcairn. I always go there on Saturday. The same crew is there every week - - the older guys from Pitcairn High School.
I always heard talk about this Victory Bell. The Bell, which was kept on some sort of cart, was from a locomotive from the Pennsylvania Railroad. Pitcairn teams were called the "Railroaders."
The Bell Game was between Pitcairn High School and Trafford High. The last time they played, Pitcairn won and kept the Bell.
As we know, Pitcairn High became Gateway High, and the Bell was forgotten.
When they where cleaning out Pitcairn High, they were going to junk the Bell. A man by the name of Walker, who worked at the school, saw it in the junk pile and took it home. It remained at Mr. Walker's home for some time in his garage.
His wife was our kindergarten teacher. His son went to Thiel College and belonged to a fraternity. He took the Bell to Thiel.
During Thiel's football games, the pledges would run up and down the sidelines ringing the Bell when Thiel scored.
Pitcairn had its Centennial Celebration, and the High School Alumni wanted to bring the Bell back. But no one knew where it was.
During one of those Saturday haircuts, I was listening to them wishing to find the Bell. I told them the story I heard. They asked if I would help them.
I called Mrs. Walker's daughter. I got her number from Frank the Barber. She verified my Bell story, and gave me the Fraternity name.
I called the Fraternity, and they agreed to let the Alumni use the Bell for the Centennial. I agreed to return the Bell to them after the Centential Celebration.
The Alumni agreed. They sent a delegation to Thiel to return the prized Bell.
The Bell spent its life in the front yard of the Fraternity. Snow, rain, etc. The Alumni brought it back, cleaned it up and made a new cart for it.
This is without a doubt the most cherised artifact from Pitcairn High School.
As a Pitcairner, it was an honor for me to be involved with the High School Alumni. These were people who went to school with our mothers and fathers, uncles and aunts.
But even better, it was great to bring the Class of '67 into contact with them. They always asked if I graduated from Pitcairn High. I said, "No. Gateway Class of '67!"
They took the Bell back as promised. A few years later Rullo Vecchio, a former Pitcairn Council member and Democratic Chairman, made arrangements to bring the Bell back permanently.
If you go to the Gateway Gators Web site, there are pictures of the "Bell Game."
fyi: Gateway kept the Victory Bell, as the Gators defeated the Penn-Trafford Warriors 44-8. It was basically over at the half with the score 41-0.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Donald Powers, 1949-2007
Donald Powers' tribute page has been posted on our "Gators: Gone but not forgotten" Web site.
Click the link in the sidebar on the righthand side of this blog page. Then click Donald's name on the list of Deceased Classmates.
The only photos from the yearbooks that I was sure were him were his class pictures. If you know of any other images of him from the Portavians or if you have any other pictures of him, please send copies to me. Instructions are at the end of his tribute page.
I haven't contacted his family yet. I took the obit info from the obit that was published in his local newspaper. It appears that he was married more than once, but I have nothing on that yet.
What can you add?
Click the link in the sidebar on the righthand side of this blog page. Then click Donald's name on the list of Deceased Classmates.
The only photos from the yearbooks that I was sure were him were his class pictures. If you know of any other images of him from the Portavians or if you have any other pictures of him, please send copies to me. Instructions are at the end of his tribute page.
I haven't contacted his family yet. I took the obit info from the obit that was published in his local newspaper. It appears that he was married more than once, but I have nothing on that yet.
What can you add?
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Alan Bennett, 1948-1996
Alan Bennett's tribute page has been posted on our "Gators: Gone but not forgotten" Web site.
Click the link in the sidebar on the righthand side of this blog page.
Then click Alan's name on the list of Deceased Classmates.
Keep in mind that this is a work in progress. I'm hoping to get more snapshots of Alan and more biographical information to fill the page out more.
Please send along your comments and stories about Alan by adding them as comments on this blog item or by sending them to me. Instructions are at the bottom of his tribute page.
Thanks, Gators!
Click the link in the sidebar on the righthand side of this blog page.
Then click Alan's name on the list of Deceased Classmates.
Keep in mind that this is a work in progress. I'm hoping to get more snapshots of Alan and more biographical information to fill the page out more.
Please send along your comments and stories about Alan by adding them as comments on this blog item or by sending them to me. Instructions are at the bottom of his tribute page.
Thanks, Gators!
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Rosemary Ciufo Brown, 1949-2006
Rosemary Ciufo's tribute page has been posted on our "Gators: Gone but not forgotten" Web site.
Click the link in the sidebar on the righthand side of this blog page.
Then click Rose's name on the list of Deceased Classmates.
I wasn't able to identify her in any Portavian photos, other than class pictures. Please tell me if you know of any yearbook pictures in which Rose appears.
I'm waiting for her son to send some family photos to add to the page.
Please send along your comments and stories about Rose by adding them as comments on this blog item or by sending them to me. Instructions are at the bottom of her tribute page.
Click the link in the sidebar on the righthand side of this blog page.
Then click Rose's name on the list of Deceased Classmates.
I wasn't able to identify her in any Portavian photos, other than class pictures. Please tell me if you know of any yearbook pictures in which Rose appears.
I'm waiting for her son to send some family photos to add to the page.
Please send along your comments and stories about Rose by adding them as comments on this blog item or by sending them to me. Instructions are at the bottom of her tribute page.
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